Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi is concerned over the attitude of Brazilian playmaker Lucas Ribeiro Costa.
Costa missed last weekend’s match away to Polokwane after accumulating four yellow cards and upon his return on Wednesday, he was booked again when Sundowns won 3-0 at home to Cape Town City, a match in which he was on the scoresheet.
The Brazilian’s disciplinary record has left his coach frustrated and he feels while the player is hugely talented, it is costly for him and the team, something that he needs to quickly eliminate from his game.
Mngqithi concerned by ‘unnecessary’ Costa bookings
“Starting with Lucas, it’s a big concern for all of us that he somehow finds a way to get a booking even when it was difficult for him to get a booking because the tackle that he made just on the line was very unnecessary,” said the tactician.
“Sometimes you must know when you work with South Americans that they think differently, they give everything to the game which sometimes exposes them to such cautions.
“We are concerned. Personally, I had three or four one-on-one with him, and I really want him to understand. I think he has improved in some instances because he was very emotional before, but I think he’s improving now.
Will the Brazilian playmaker behave against Chiefs?
“I’m seeing a lot of progress, but I think there’s still a lot of work to do; even other members of the club are trying to assist players like Lucas.”
Costa has been Sundowns’ standout performer this season despite his misdemeanors, having scored six goals while providing three assists in all competitions.
He will be among Mngqithi’s go-to men when the Brazilians visit Kaizer Chiefs for their Carling Knockout quarter-final tie a sold-out FNB Stadium on Saturday but his coach will be keeping his fingers crossed that he does not pick up another booking.
